Electromagnetic effects: past paper questions

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• Question 31Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two current-carrying conductors are placed next to each other. The current in the conductors is in the same direction. Which statement about the forces experienced by the conductors is correct?

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• Question 36Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Students are asked to draw the pattern and direction of the magnetic field due to a direct current (d.c.) in a straight wire.

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• Question 32Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which component is not needed to make a simple d.c. motor work?

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• Question 7May/June 2026, paper 21Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 7.1 shows a bathroom heater connected to a $240\text{ V}$ a.c. supply. A relay is used to turn on the heater.

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• Question 34Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A straight vertical wire carries a current in the direction shown. What is the pattern of the magnetic field around the wire seen by an observer viewing the wire from the position shown?

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• Question 31Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which graph shows the voltage output against time for a simple a.c. generator?

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• Question 7May/June 2026, paper 22Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  A solenoid is wound through holes in a piece of cardboard. There is a current in the solenoid. Figure 7.1 shows the arrangement.

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• Question 35Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which device works due to electromagnetic induction?

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• Question 35Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which part of a simple d.c. motor reverses the direction of current in the coil once every half rotation of the coil?

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 41Essay6 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 4.1 shows an iron nail inside a coil of wire. The wire is connected into a circuit in series with a variable resistor. When a current passes through the coil, the iron nail is magnetised and attracts paper clips as shown in Figure 4.1.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  An iron beaker containing liquid X is placed on the bench in a laboratory. Liquid X begins to evaporate slowly. Explain why the evaporation causes the temperature of liquid X to decrease.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  The frequency of an alternating current mains electricity supply is $50\text{ Hz}$. The maximum voltage of the supply is $300\text{ V}$. Using the axes in Fig. 7.1, sketch a graph to show how the voltage of the supply varies in a time of $0.05\text{ s}$.

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• Question 32May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An alternating current (a.c.) generator is connected to an oscilloscope. The diagram shows the trace produced on the oscilloscope screen. What are possible angles between the plane of the coil and the magnetic field direction at the times represented by points 1, 2 and 3?

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• Question 34May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a generator. What are X and Y? | | X | Y | |---|---|---| | A | N pole | split-ring commutator | | B | N pole | slip rings | | C | S pole | split-ring commutator | | D | S pole | slip rings |

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• Question 35May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a loudspeaker that is producing a sound.

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• Question 35Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The output of an a.c. generator is connected to a lamp. The coil of the generator is rotated at a constant rate which makes the lamp flash twice every second.

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• Question 36Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which device uses the magnetic effect of an electric current?

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• Question 32May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A square coil is placed in a horizontal uniform magnetic field. The plane of the coil is perpendicular to the magnetic field. The coil is now rotated about an axis through P at a steady rate.

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• Question 34May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The diagram shows a wire carrying a current in a magnetic field. What is the direction of the force on the wire?

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• Question 37Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A wire is placed at right angles to a uniform magnetic field. There is a current in the wire and it experiences a force. Beams of alpha-particles, beta-particles and neutrons are fired into the magnetic field in the same direction as the conventional current in the wire.

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• Question 34May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Students are asked to suggest factors that affect the speed of rotation of a direct current (d.c.) motor.

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• Question 35May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a simple d.c. motor. What is the part labelled Q?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  An alternating current (a.c.) generator is used in a remote location to supply electricity. Fig. 7.1 shows the structure of a simple a.c. generator with the coil horizontal.

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• Question 36May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The diagram shows a transformer.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows a permanent magnet attached to one end of an unstretched spring and held at rest just above a solenoid. The solenoid is connected to a sensitive ammeter. State the name of a substance from which permanent magnets are made.

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• Question 7May/June 2025, paper 21Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 7.1 shows an alternating current (a.c.) power supply connected to a transformer. Explain how an alternating current in the primary coil produces an alternating output voltage.

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• Question 7May/June 2024, paper 22Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A plotting compass contains a needle. The needle is a small magnet that can rotate about its centre. Fig. 7.1 shows the plotting compass placed close to a bar magnet.

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• Question 32May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  When wire XY is moved downwards between the poles of a stationary magnet, an e.m.f. is produced across X and Y. Which action produces an e.m.f. across X and Y in the opposite direction?

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• Question 7May/June 2025, paper 22Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 7.1 shows a simple d.c. motor. The poles at the ends of the magnets are not labelled.

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• Question 9May/June 2023, paper 21Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 shows a simple a.c. generator. Explain why there is a voltage induced in the coil when the coil is turned.

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